Policy Server Application-Specific Online Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional network routing techniques face challenges in providing optimal application configuration and accurate charging, leading to inefficient management of communication sessions and data flows, especially as the subscriber base increases, resulting in suboptimal user experience and billing issues.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for application-specific on-line charging, where a policy server interacts with selected applications to install charging rules and manage network resources, enabling application-specific on-line charging without requiring explicit support from the application itself, by using application tokens or service identifiers to recognize and manage charging interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional network routing techniques are used, then network connectivity is maintained, but application-specific charging accuracy deteriorates and system performance is suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a policy server as an intermediary component between the network infrastructure and applications. This policy server specifically handles charging rule installation and management, enabling accurate application-specific charging without requiring complex modifications to the entire network architecture. The policy server mediates between network resources and application demands, resolving the contradiction by centralizing charging functionality.
2Quantity of substance
If more network elements are added to accommodate increased subscriber base, then network capacity increases, but routing efficiency and session management quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The policy server is designed as a universal component that can serve multiple applications and handle diverse charging requirements through a single platform. By using application tokens and service identifiers, the policy server can manage charging for different applications without requiring separate infrastructure for each, thus maintaining session management efficiency while supporting increased subscriber capacity.
3Ease of operation
If application-specific charging is implemented without explicit application support, then ease of operation improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The policy server automatically performs charging rule installation and management without requiring explicit configuration or support from individual applications. Applications simply interact with the policy server using standard tokens and identifiers, and the policy server autonomously handles the complex tasks of charging rule generation, installation, and enforcement. This self-service mechanism improves ease of operation while the policy server internally manages the necessary complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An architecture for A method for providing on-line charging in a network environment is provided that includes interacting with an application that is selected by an end user, and with a policy enforcement point to install corresponding policies that are inclusive of charging rules. The method also includes performing, via a policy server, on-line charging interactions on behalf of the selected application itself such that application-specific on-line charging for the application is enabled. In more particular embodiments, the policy server understands which application is interacting with it by use of application tokens, source, or service identifiers. Also, the application element can query the policy server indirectly to grant network resources and the policy server examines an end user's policy profile or a network-wide profile (or both) and recognizes that on-line charging applies to the selected application.